After considering feedback from key stakeholders, contributing agencies and residents, INDOT has refined Alternative 4c. This refined version of Alternative 4c – now known as the preliminary preferred alternative – provides the best balance of function and impact while meeting the project’s purpose and need to replace deteriorated infrastructure, improve safety and improve traffic flow. It would also improve safety by eliminating the weaving sections (locations where traffic is forced to cross paths) on the west leg of the interchange near the Pennsylvania and Delaware Street ramps. Eliminating the weaves would also remove the most severe bottlenecks in the interchange, allowing for improved traffic flow without adding new through lanes.

ACCESS CHANGES
To reduce the impact of the project on adjacent historic neighborhoods, two movements current served by the North Split would be eliminated in the preliminary preferred alternative:

I-70 traffic from the east would no longer have access to the Pennsylvania Street exit ramp. All other I-70 movements would continue to be available.

The Delaware Street entrance ramp traffic could access I-70 East, but would no longer have access to I-65 South or the collector-distributor (C-D) road serving North Street, Michigan Street, Ohio Street and Fletcher Avenue.

All southbound I-65 movements (Meridian Street exit, I-70 eastbound, I-65 southbound and the C-D to North Street, Michigan Street, Ohio Street and Fletcher Avenue) would continue to be available.

ALTERNATIVE REFINEMENTS
As originally presented in the North Split Alternatives Screening Report, Alternative 4c eliminated I-65 access to the C-D road, with loss of service to North Street, Michigan Street, Ohio Street and Fletcher Avenue. Reconfiguring the interchange to serve I-65 movements is the most significant refinement in the preliminary preferred alternative.

CSS is a collaborative, interdisciplinary decision-making process and design approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting.

The community will have a strong voice in the CSS process, helping the team to best meet the objectives and priorities of the neighborhoods near the project. With stakeholder input, the project team will examine:

Landform elements

Local infrastructure elements

Interchange infrastructure elements

Vegetation elements

Community and public art components

CSS WORKSHOPS

To encourage participation, the North Split project team is meeting with many neighborhood groups adjacent to the project area. Below is the meeting schedule:

In response to feedback from the community, INDOT decided to look at a range of concepts for the entire downtown Indianapolis interstate system. INDOT initiated a system-level analysis to assess the performance, cost and impact of seven concepts for I-65 and I-70 through downtown Indianapolis.

The information from the analysis does not make a final recommendation on the downtown interstate system, but the facts will inform the process moving forward for the North Split interchange. INDOT will hold an open house on May 23 to discuss the System-Level Analysis and next steps for the project.

In September 2017, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced plans to study the reconstruction of the North Split – the existing interchange where I-65 and I-70 meet on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis. As part of that study, INDOT began work on an Environmental Assessment (EA), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Media coverage was widespread and stakeholder meetings were well-attended. And community interest has continued to grow during the past six months.

Nearly all stakeholders agree the North Split interchange and the 32 bridges within the project footprint are deteriorating and in need of repair. But some question whether just rebuilding the interchange is the right solution. Based on feedback from several community organizations, INDOT agreed to broaden the study, and is now developing and screening alternatives in a two-step screening process.

Step 1 is a System Level screening considering alternatives to improve the full downtown interstate system. The System Level screening will confirm or redefine project-level alternatives for the North Split Project.

Step 2 is a Project Level screening of alternatives to determine what will be evaluated in detail in the North Split Project environmental study. The completion of this two-step process will guide INDOT’s next steps for the North Split interchange.

Regardless of what the screening process reveals, the project must meet the following transportation needs:

Correct deteriorated bridge conditions

Correct deteriorated pavement conditions

Improve interchange operations

Reduce traffic congestion

Improve safety

Throughout this two-step screening process and the completion of the EA, INDOT is committed to a robust public involvement effort. Several advisory committees – including Section 106 Consulting Parties, Resource Agencies and a Community Advisory Committee – will meet throughout the process to provide critical feedback.

In addition to the committee meetings and several public open houses, INDOT aims to keep stakeholders informed. Visit our Stay Informed and Contact Us pages for several ways to provide feedback.

Together we’ll move forward with a plan that meets the project’s needs and improves overall mobility, livability and economic vitality of the downtown area.